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GRAPPLE.

Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. WILEY, OF STOCKTON, KANSAS.

GRAPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,680, dated November 27, 1888.

Application filed July 152, 1888. Serial No. 219,705.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. WILEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Stockton, in the county of Books and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in grapples, the object thereof being to provide a means whereby the grapple-jaws can be held open or apart and closed upon an object when desired; and it consists. in providing the grapple-jaws with rods pivoted near the jaws of the grapple and passed through eyes attached to the upper portion of the arms, said rods being connected to a rope, so that when the grapples are suspended from said rope the jaws will be held open, the grapple being provided with rope for closing thejaws, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention by a perspective View.

A and A refer to the arms of the grapple, which are pivotally secured to each other by a bolt or rivet, B. The lower portions of the arms are provided with the usual prongs, a a,

above which each arm is provided with perforations b b, to permit of the attachment of looped rods 0 O, which pass through guideeyes d d, secured to the upper portions of the arms.

The upper ends of the arms A and A are provided with perforations e e, to which are attached cords or flexible connections E E, connected at their upper ends to a ring, e, to which the elevating-rope E is attached.

The upper ends of the rods 0 O are formed into suitable loops or eyes, f f, and to the same ropes or cords F F are connected, which are also secured to a ring, f, with which the rope (No model.)

ble connections have been employed with a grappling-iron for holding the jaws open while lowering the same; but flexible connections have proved in practice to be objectionable, as when the rope employed for holding the jaws open is slackened said rope is liable to interfere with the closing of the jaws without raising the grappling-tongs. The rods 0 0, when connected to a grappling-tong, as shown, work easily and effectively, and the weight of said rods has a tendency to close the jaws immediately upon the release of the rope F.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, in the grapple having arms A and Apivotally secured to each other, of the rods 0 G, secured at their lower ends beneath the pivot of the grapple, and guideeyes (I d, attached to the arms above the pivot, and flexible connections for raising and lowering the grappling-iron,substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a grapple, the combination of the arms A and A, having flexible connections E E attached thereto and to a rope, E, rods 0 0, having their lower ends formed into loops which engage with perforations in the said arms, pivoted guide-eyes d d, through which the rods 0 pass, and flexible connections F F, attached to the upper ends of the rods 0 and to a rope, F, the parts being organized as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. WILEY.

Witnesses:

v CHAS. P. DUNAWAY,

G. W. RUBENDOLL. 

